Jacob Strassle, Zac Grismer do little things for Mustang
Bruce Gray Invitational
Boys
McGuinness JV 55, Star Spencer 54 – seventh place
OCS 74, Western Heights 72 – fifth place
Deer Creek 53, Enid 31 – third place
Mustang 72, Putnam North 64 – championship
Ahh, so that’s why Mustang is good. I said Sunday that neither myself nor Scott Wright had seen why the Mustang boys were getting so much respect.
Monday night I found out why. They do the little things. Especially Jacob Strassle and Zac Grismer – they do the dirty work necessary to earn the tough victories.
Any 50/50 ball last night went to the Broncos, no doubt about it. Putnam North made a nice run to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, but Mustang deserved this win.
I still don’t think Mustang has the greatest perimeter shooting team out there. But it doesn’t have to be if you execute in the other parts of the game, which is exactly what Alan Green’s boys do.
Another good game from PCN’s Armon Provo and Joe Summers. And with the Panthers going east, I could definitely see this team making the state tournament.
Mustang also made its free throws to get rid of any drama. David Glidden was 7 of 8 alone in the fourth quarter. Well played game.
Deer Creek 53, Enid 31
Nice statement by the Antlers here. A well-balanced effort sparked by the post players to earn this victory.
Josh Fields and Anthony Clark are both just juniors and the last two games they both looked good. This team has to be more than Garrett Hermanski, and it is so intrigued to see what happens against Piedmont and Carl Albert later this week.
After Alex Patterson went down, seemed like Enid was a little deflated.
OCS 74, Western Heights 72
Ah, the most fun game of the day. It was all Jack Warren of OCS and Alton Whittaker of Western Heights.
Then in the second half, it was all T.J. Holland of OCS and Western Heights’ Kenneth Mayfield. Warren and Holland – 51 points. Mayfield and Whittaker – 54 points.
Mayfield went nuts in the fourth quarter. He scored 23 points and shot the lights out. He made a three and Deer Creek’s Grant Gower was trying to announce it when the lights went out.
Almost a huge comeback by Western Heights who were down 65-51 midway through the fourth.
Warren had 27 with 19 in the first half. Holland had 24 with 18 in the second half.
OCS didn’t play McGuinness JV as I thought because no matter what, the Irish were going to play in losers’ games. They understood that and were fine with it. Even if McGuinness JV had beaten Mustang on Friday, Mustang would have advanced. For what it’s worth, the JV team went 2-1 and beat Star Spencer on Monday.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Joh’Vonna Mitchell’s buzzer beater at Bruce Gray Invitational
Bruce Gray Invitational
Girls
OCS 52, PC West 45 – seventh place
Deer Creek 53, Western Heights 50 – fifth place
Enid 40, Star Spencer 30 – third place
Putnam North 44, McGuinness 42 – championship
There it is. Putnam North making me look stupid.
Going into the championship, I thought the Irish were going to handle the Panthers. But by the end of the first quarter, knew differently.
Was a little worried for Putnam North after Joh’Vonna Mitchell picked up two fouls in the first four minutes, but Kelsey Abraham kept the team rolling in the first half and rightfully earned the MVP honors of the tournament.
Likewise, that was the best game I’ve seen from McGuinness’ Caroline Cameron, who scored 13 of her 18 points in the first half to keep the Irish within striking distance.
Rae Rae Brannon came up huge in the second half for PCN, scoring all 12 of her points after halftime.
Tremendous atmosphere in a game that pitted two non-hosting teams in a tournament final. Great battle down the stretch. And while last year Putnam North didn’t make that final basket, this year, yep, Mitchell did it.
Enid 40, Star Spencer 30
Seriously, Enid fans are lucky to get to watch Courtney Chelf every single game. She is something special. She had 13 of the team’s 15 points at halftime.
In the second half, more Pacers got involved and Enid really took control. Kept waiting for that Star Spencer run, just wasn’t in the cards this time around.
Enid’s a solid team, but solid won’t get the job done in 6A girls competition. Gonna be a dog fight in the next month for those state berths.
Deer Creek 53, Western Heights 50
The Antlers are coming around. You look at that lineup and see a bunch of freshmen and sophomores, but it’s coming together.
Sophomore Alexa Adair looks so much more confident than she did back in December. This team is learning to win the close games, and I think they’re right back in the hunt for a state berth.
Bayli Blanchard is doing a good job in the post, and it was a good battle between Blanchard and Western Heights’ star Dilan Webster.
The Jets made a big comeback in the fourth and took a 50-49 lead, but Adair hit four free throws in the final minute to earn the win.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational: Joe Summers, Armon Provo too much for Antlers…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational
Monday (I’ll be there)
At Deer Creek
Seventh place: McGuinness JV vs. Star Spencer, 11:30 a.m.
Fifth place: Western Heights vs. OCS, 2:30
Third place: Deer Creek vs. Enid, 5:30
Championship: Mustang vs. Putnam North, 8:30
I felt Deer Creek would have to play a near perfect game to beat Putnam North. The Antlers didn’t, and the Panthers cruised in the fourth quarter to a 69-53 victory.
I have never seen Garrett Hermanski bottled up like that. PCN’s Armon Provo, an explosive scorer in his own right, put the clamps on one of the best juniors in the state. Provo frustrated Hermanski, was extremely physical with him and never let Hermanski get into that groove.
Hermanski had five points at halftime and nine points total. Great job by Provo.
If it was Provo on defense, then it was the Joe Summers show on offense. He hit three 3s in the first half that really set the tone for his game. Antlers had to come out and guard him, and he’s too strong off the dribble.
It was interesting because Deer Creek’s Jalen Burnett is a really talented player. However, the size of Summers was something he simply could not deal with it. Burnett still managed to have a really good game, but it was a clear difference of 5A and 6A in terms of the size there.
In contrast, the Panthers learned why the Deer Creek community goes ga-ga over sophomore Joel Blumenthal. He was trying to put the team on his back in the third quarter. He scored 11 points, including connecting on three 3s to pull the game within 41-38. However, all runs must come to an end, and Deer Creek couldn’t muster a response after JR Simon hit a three-point play and Provo drained a 3 at the end of the third to make it 50-42.
Mustang 46, Enid 38
Interesting Mustang team. First time I’ve gotten to see them. Do a lot of the gritty things, not afraid to go in there and mix it up. Not sure if the Broncos have the perimeter shooting for a long run.
Impressed with Ben Berry and David Glidden. Speaking of Glidden, he took a nasty shot to his shoulder in the third quarter but missed minimal time. After getting checked out, he was right back out there.
I see why Mustang is so highly regarded by opposing coaches, but neither myself nor Scott Wright has seen Mustang on its best day. Perhaps that will be Monday?
Looking ahead to Monday…
Rematch of last year’s final when Provo absolutely went off for 33 points and a PCN title. I don’t see this one being a blowout at all, but I stated earlier I thought Rick Harris’ boys would win it so I’ll stand by that.
Deer Creek coach Matt Bailey faces his former squad, Enid, in the third-place game. It’s not as simple as Hermanski vs. Alex Patterson and whoever has the better game, his team wins, but it’s close. They trigger so much on their respective teams when they’re playing well.
And OCS, who I almost left for dead after Thursday, has a chance to claim fifth place against a surprising McGuinness JV team. After losses to Heritage Hall and Deer Creek, big response by the Saints against Star Spencer.
Bruce Gray Invitational: Irish girls survive vs. Star Spencer…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational
Monday (I’ll be there)
At Deer Creek
Girls
Seventh place: OCS vs. Putnam West, 10 a.m.
Fifth place: Deer Creek vs. Western Heights, 1 p.m.
Third place: Enid vs. Star Spencer, 4 p.m.
Championship: McGuinness vs. Putnam North, 7 p.m.
Somebody asked me Thursday to predict the winners in the Bruce Gray Invitational, and I said the McGuinness girls and the Putnam North boys. I was three minutes away from being wrong Saturday.
The Irish girls trailed Star Spencer 35-29 before going on a 13-2 run to win 42-37 and advance to Monday’s championship game.
I’ve never seen McGuinness look so lost as it did yesterday. Coach Jennifer Burch gave Star Spencer a lot of the credit as the 1-2-2 zone befuddled the normally efficient Irish.
Burch said when the offense is down, the defense can’t let up. It didn’t. Eventually it was the defense that spurred the run. The press was able to create turnovers and Elyse Hight came up big down the stretch as she has for basically the whole season.
Another great game by Sharane Campbell of Star Spencer. She’s a fighter, no doubt. Felt like Star had set up McGuinness for that knockout blow but simply never delivered it.
Putnam North 45, Enid 37
Another two years with Courtney Chelf, Enid fans are lucky. She’s a good one and her three-pointer at the end of the third made it 30-29 Enid going into the fourth.
However, this was a good statement made by the Panthers. I always look to Joh’Vonna Mitchell and Alexis Watson, but Kelsey Abraham was the star in this one. And give a lot of credit to Blaire Hall’s eight points off the bench.
Watson took a nasty fall midway through the third with PCN leading 27-23. She missed the rest of the third and start of the fourth before coming back in. She seemed OK, hope she is for Monday night.
Looking ahead to Monday…
I think Rae Rae Brannon is going to have to come up big for the Panthers. She’s tiny, but she has more quickness than what the Irish are used to dealing with. Mitchell cannot get in foul trouble against Hight and Alexa Lienhard (and vice versa on that one).
Third-place game should be a good battle between Chelf and Campbell. I like Enid in a close one. Fifth-place game is intriguing in the grand scheme of things as Western Heights and Deer Creek might be still standing when it comes to the 5A state tournament. I like Dilan Webster to help the Jets prevail in that one.
Bruce Gray Invitational schedule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational
At Deer Creek
Thursday
Boys
Mustang vs. McGuinness JV, 11:30 a.m.
Putnam City North vs. Star Spencer, 2:30
OCS vs. Deer Creek, 5:30
Enid vs. Western Heights, 8:30
Girls
McGuinness vs. Putnam West, 10 a.m.
Putnam North vs. OCS, 1 p.m.
Western Heights vs. Star Spencer, 4 p.m.
Deer Creek vs. Enid, 7 p.m.
McGuinness Festival: Deer Creek turns a corner?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
A little more tired than I thought. Two long days of basketball at Bishop McGuinness. Here’s what you can read in Sunday’s paper:
Deer Creek boys basketball coach Matt Bailey doesn’t want to put too much importance into a win in mid-December, but Saturday gave him a taste of what his team is going to see the rest of the year.
On first glance, the Antlers are going to be OK. Facing the constant pressure of Millwood, Deer Creek stayed composed to earn a 61-38 victory at the McGuinness Festival.
“Our kids did a great job and that comes from the leadership of Jalen (Burnett) and Garrett (Hermanski),” Bailey said.
Deer Creek was coming off an emotional overtime loss to McGuinness and had to play only 15 hours after completing that contest.
Sophmore Joel Blumenthal bounced back after a poor shooting night against the Irish to lead the way with 17 points Saturday. Hermanski added 14.
Deer Creek trailed 9-8 after the first quarter but outscored Millwood by 10 in the second quarter and seized control.
Millwood’s Michael Ervin had 10 points, while Kevonte Richardson added nine.
Bishop McGuinness Festival schedule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It’s been a great start to the season for the Deer Creek boys basketball team. The Antlers are 3-0 and are averaging nearly 80 points per game, led by junior Garrett Hermanski.
However, coach Matt Bailey’s club will face its biggest challenges of the season this weekend at the McGuinness Festival at Bishop McGuinness.
Deer Creek plays the Irish on Friday night and comes right back to play Millwood on Saturday afternoon.
Other teams involved in the boys and girls event include Oklahoma Christian School and Western Heights. There will be four games on Friday and Saturday. I’ll be there for all eight games.
McGuinness Festival
Friday
Millwood vs. OCS, 3 p.m. (girls)
Millwood vs. OCS, 4:30 (boys)
McGuinness vs. Deer Creek, 6 p.m. (girls)
McGuinness vs. Deer Creek, 7:30 (boys)
Saturday
Millwood vs. Deer Creek, 11 a.m. (girls)
Millwood vs. Deer Creek, 12:30 p.m. (boys)
McGuinness vs. Western Heights, 2 p.m. (girls)
McGuinness vs. Western Heights, 3:30 p.m. (boys)
District 5A-1 awards…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
2010 District 5A-1 All-District Team
Player of the Year—Kentrell Brothers – Guthrie
Offensive Player of the Year—Alex Christensen – Deer Creek
Defensive Player of the Year—Quincy Johnson – Carl Albert
Lineman of the Year—Kyle Croak – Carl Albert
Coach of the Year—Rafe Watkins – Guthrie
Offense
First Team Second Team
QB-Kenneth Mayfield – W Hts QB-Ridge Gargasz – ER
RB-Kenton Whittington – Carl Albert RB-Derrik Kelly – Guthrie
RB-Devonte Moore – ER RB-Anthony Frazier – SE
WR-Dwight Dobbins – Carl Albert WR-Christian Johnson-Ada
WR-Deonte McCully – Guthrie WR-Gage Anderson-Noble
TE-Austen Roselius-Carl Albert TE-Payton Patton-Ada
OL-Colin Walker-Carl Albert OL-Pat Elliott-Carl Albert
OL-Bryce Sullivan-Guthrie OL-Andrew Scribner-Ada
C-Anthony Frazier-Carl Albert C-Braden Young-ER
OL-Ross Stracke-Deer Creek OL-Jacob Cardenas-Noble
OL-Caleb Clary-Ada OL-Paul Kim-Deer Creek
Defense
First Team Second Team
DL-Randy Armstrong-Ada DL-Shawn Hudson-SE
DL-Feliz Scott-Guthrie DL-Ryan Vick-Ada
DL-Brent Bozarth-ER DL-Tanner Dyer-Ada
DL-Cale Russell-Ada DL-Ryan Thomas-Noble
LB-Isaiah Byrd-Deer Creek LB-Trey Jones-Noble
LB-Tavin Deloney-SE LB-Evan Elder-Deer Creek
DB-Marcus Ware-Guthrie DB-Nick Anderson-Ada DB-A.J.Wilson-Carl Albert DBEric Mahoney-Deer Creek
DB-Ronald Lucas-Ada DB-Nelson Williams-SE
DB-Jay Gogue-SE DB-Diontee Albert-Ada
DB-Michael Coleman-Deer Creek DB-Dylan Abner-ER
DB-Travis Brown-
K-Shawn McLaws-Deer Creek
P-Brady Bowers-Ada
Western Heights vs. Deer Creek Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright
BPrzybylo@opubco.com; SWright@opubco.com
Western Heights (1-5) at Deer Creek (4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Antler Stadium, DC
Western Heights (L – Harrah, L – Tulsa Central, L – Piedmont, L – Carl Albert, W – Noble, L – Ada)
Why the Jets can win: Don’t let the record fool you. The Jets are battle-tested. They’ve played a tough schedule and they showed they can move the ball in the 47-6 win over Noble. RB Darius Young is a weapon as a runner and receiver, where he’s averaging better than 11 yards per catch. And WR Juwan Cubit is big-time dangerous. He qualified for state in the 100 meters last spring and has 24 catches for 360 yards and six TDs.
Deer Creek (W – Piedmont; L – Shawnee; W – Tecumseh; L – Guthrie; W – Southeast; W – El Reno)
Why the Antlers can win: Because the offense has adjusted to life without Colten Sander. And frankly, the defense has been solid all season save for one half against Guthrie. This is a team that is extremely tight-knit and has a couple of weeks to get on the same page before Carl Albert and Ada.
Quote:
The one thing I love about our defense right now is they’re all flying to the ball. We’re playing Antler football right now.” coach Grant Gower
Scott’s key matchup: DC run game vs. WH run-stoppers. The Jets have to get guys in running lanes and clog it up for the Antlers if they want to have a chance. But stopping that run game won’t be easy. See below.
Boneman’s key matchup: Deer Creek passing game vs. Western Heights defense. There is no doubt in my mind that the Antlers could simply run up and down all day in this one. However, to beat CA and/or Ada, gonna need a balance. This is a good game to try to get Joel Blumenthal/Alex Christensen rolling through the air.
Scott’s pick: Deer Creek 31, Western Heights 14. Deer Creek’s depth and size is too much for the Jets.
Boneman’s pick: Deer Creek 45, Western Heights 10. Another solid effort by the Antlers in earning their third consecutive victory.
Boneman’s DCreek prediction record: 6-0.
Western Heights vs. Carl Albert Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright
BPrzybylo@opubco.com; SWright@opubco.com
Carl Albert (2-1) at Western Heights
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Western Heights
Western Heights (L – Harrah 40-13, L – Tulsa Central 30-21, L – Piedmont 49-12)
Why the Jets can win: This is a team with some offensive weapons. Darius Young is a talented running back with a good mix of speed and power. Juwan Cubit is a talented wideout with sprinter’s speed. QB Kenneth Mayfield is the fuel that makes the car go. But it will likely come down to defense for the Jets, which has been shaky at times.
Carl Albert (L – BTW 12-10, W – Ardmore 34-6, W – Duncan 42-10)
Why the Titans can win: Because they should be too big and too fast for Western Heights. The loss of Dillan Dansby might hurt later in the season, but Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight should be more than enough to pull out the W here.
Quote:
We’re not worried about Taylor Hawkins taking over, he just hasn’t had the snaps. He’s extremely talented and we’ll be fine.” – coach Gary Rose
Scott’s key matchup: Mayfield vs. Titan DBs. Mayfield has to stay on top of his game to avoid making mistakes, because the talented Titan secondary will make him and the Jets pay.
Boneman’s key matchup: CA offensive line vs. Jets defense. If this game goes the way it should, the story of this game is going to be how powerful and dominant the lines for the Titans are. With Hawkins getting his feet wet in the position, the line needs to be at its best.
Scott’s pick: Carl Albert 42, Western Heights 20. The toughest part for the Jets will be matching the size of Carl Albert in the trenches.
Boneman’s pick: Carl Albert 49, Western Heights 12. Titans have proven they’re among the best in the class this season. Shouldn’t suffer a hiccup here.
Boneman’s Carl Albert prediction record: 3-0.
